Falkenburg, Robert

Robert Falkenburg
Born: January 29, 1926
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Citizenship: United States
Handed: Right
Inducted: 1974

Grand Slam Record
Wimbledon Singles finalist 1948
Doubles 1947

U.S. Doubles 1944
Doubles finalist 1945
Mixed finalist 1945

Tournament Record
Intercollegiate Singles 1945
Doubles 1946

Davis Cup Brazilian Team Member 1954-55

A gangling, dark-haired 6-foot-3 right-hander, Robert Falkenburg came from a tennis family. He and brother, Tom won the U.S. Interscholastic title for Los Angeles Fairfax High in 1942, the same year Bob won the singles. Both played in the U.S. Championships at Forest Hills, as did sister, Jinx. But Bob, seventh-seeded, made the family’s name with a sensational Wimbledon triumph in 1948, eluding three match points while defeating second-seeded John Bromwich, 7-5, 0-6, 6-2, 3-6, 7-5. Bromwich served at 5-3, 40-15 and advantage. Falkenburg responded boldly with backhand passing returns. The last appeared futile. Brom made no attempt to play it, and the crowd gasped as the ball unexpectedly landed just inside the baseline.

He and Jack Kramer won the doubles the year before, and in 1944, at 18, he won the U.S. doubles with Don McNeill, one of the youngest to hold that title.

A slam-bang, big-serving net-charger, he attended the University of Southern California, winning the U.S. Intercollegiate title in 1946. He was an early success, his career short. He won the U.S. junior title in 1942 and 1943, the second year while in the U.S. Army Air Force. He was one of the youngest to make his entry into the U.S. Top Ten, 17 in 1943 at No. 7. He was there four more times through 1948, No. 5 the last year. He was No. 7 in the world rankings that year.

A semifinalist at the U.S. Championships in 1946 and a quarterfinalist in 1947, he lost both times to the champ, Kramer. He was also a quarterfinalist in 1948.

Bromwich had his revenge as Falkenburg defended the Wimbledon title in 1949, taking their quarterfinal, 3-6, 9-11, 6-0, 6-0, 6-4. Falkenburg did not endear himself to customers by his practice of tanking sets to rest.

Marrying a Brazilian and becoming a resident, Bob played Davis Cup for Brazil. He was born January 29, 1926, in Brooklyn, NY, and entered the Hall of Fame in 1974.

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